Fun Friday: Secret Gardens and Super Sadie

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Blog From Sadie ... What would you pick as the most fun from this week?

We have two fun things to share with you, and then I will share my update.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Max wanted to share this photo yesterday, but we seemed to be having some technical problems.  So did you know that Gramby is designing us a Secret Garden at her house?  And ... Max planted sunflower seeds!  Then yesterday Max picked one of his sunflowers and gave it to Mommy when she picked him up after work.  Isn't that the sweetest (and prettiest flower)?

And for some more fun ... I joined Mommy (and "Auntie" Alicen) tonight at our first blogging event with Houston Blogging Chicks for their 2 year "birthday" celebration at the Tasting Room in Uptown Park.  We had a great time with "Auntie" Alicen and meeting new bloggers.  Mommy and I held off on the wine ... we are more of vodka gimlet drinkers.

My (Sadie's) Current Stats:

Age: Almost 30 weeks (we think!) ... Mommy and I are train wrecks, and we are losing count.  About 10 weeks left, eep!

Height: 15.7 inches long

Weight: Almost 3 lbs

Fruit / Veggie Size: Head of Cabbage (does not sound attractive?)

Fun Facts: Apparently right now and when I am born I'll only have 20 / 400 vision.  Train wreck vision.

What do I enjoy most right now?: Hanging out with Mommy all day.  Kisses from Big Brother Max.  Talks from Dada.

What was the fun in your week?  What are you doing this weekend?  Have a great weekend!  

-Sadie of Mad Max and Family

PS: Visit us on Mad About Town, and don't forget to come by on Monday for a big Whole Foods "back-to-school" giveaway.  It's not to be missed.

Thursday's Kids and T(w)eens: Buffalo Bayou's KBR Kids Day in October

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How is your week going so far?

Is it getting cooler where you are yet (if in Houston, I know the answer is NO).

One Fall event that we didn't talk about yesterday is Buffalo Bayou's KBR Kids Day on Saturday, October 20th.  From Buffalo Bayou:

Saturday, October 20, 11am-3pm
6th Annual KBR Kids Day on Buffalo Bayou

Downtown’s Sabine Promenade (150 Sabine Street)
Free Family Fun Day!

Calling all families and kids!  Save the date for our 6th Annual KBR Kids Day on Buffalo Bayou on October 20, 2012 from 11 am to 3 pm.  Join us for a completely FREE day of family-fun hands-on activities, give-aways, performances, and more!  With face painting, kayak demonstrations, a photo booth, boat rides, and so much more!  KBR Kids Day is one event you will not want to miss.  Come out in your favorite Halloween Costume and participate in our Costume Parade.

Do you have a family event similar in your city in the Fall?  We would love to hear about it.  Mommy is actually meeting with Buffalo Bayou later this month, and she said she plans to share more information about the event afterwards.  Mommy said she hopes to take me, but since Sadie is probably arriving that very Monday ... we'll have to wait and see.  What do you think?  We think it sounds like a great event for kids (and even your younger and older set).

Finally, Mommy asked that I share this photo with you today.  After she came to pick me up from her work day, I gave Mommy a sunflower I grew in my "Secret Garden" at Gramby's.  Okay, scratch that. Something weird is going on with our photo abilities, but we will share it soon!

-Mad Max

PS: You can always visit us at Mad About Town.  Stay tuned on Monday for our first Whole Foods giveaway!

next stop: Fall Festivals

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

What is your next stop this weekend?

What about looking ahead to this Fall?  Are there any Fall Festivals that you look forward to?  Or any that you would like to go to with the family?

Mommy and I found a listing of Fall Festivals from last year via the Houston Chronicle (many of which are probably around the same time this year).  We pulled out a few that we thought would be great to look into this year for the family (there are many more to choose from beyond the ones listed below!  Be sure to click the Houston Chronicle link ... what festivals are you looking forward to in your city?).

Ballunar Liftoff Festival (September 28 - 30th, 2012): Hot air balloon festival and more.  This could be fun for kids (as young as tots) of all ages.  One of my favorite things?  BALLOONS.  I've never SEEN a hot air balloon ... so this would be beyond exciting!

Greek Fest (Exact Timing TBD): I'm not sure of the exact dates for the Fall Festival, but it is usually in October.  This is a very popular festival in Houston, and it's a great opportunity to expose your young ones to the Greek culture (and did I mention, food!).

Bayou City Art Festival (Exact Timing TBD): This is another Fall Festival that usually happens in October (and then again in the Spring).  Mommy of course couldn't leave off a festival that connects to the arts.

Dewberry Farm (September 29th, 2012 and Beyond): Mommy and I actually heard about this last year, and we thought it was a great place to take kids during the Fall (pumpkin patch and corn maze (and more)).  Mommy decided I was a bit young to really enjoy it last year (ahem, speak for yourself!), but maybe we will head out past Katy, TX this year to enjoy it.  What do you think?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Finally, we would love to hear your ideas of Fall Festivals either in Houston (if you are a Houstonian) or near you!

-Mad Max

... You can also visit us on Mad About Town, and please stay tuned this coming Monday for a back-to-school giveaway with Whole Foods Market.

Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Your Own Little Pumpkin Patch

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How are you?

(How was your Monday?  Mommy said hers was ... well ... "teaching is more exhausting than giving birth!"  Hang in there, Mommy!)

This week we are focusing on all things FALL.  And with Fall, we started thinking about the Holidays.  First up, Halloween!  Do you celebrate Day of the Dead or Halloween?  Or do you celebrate another holiday?

If you celebrate Halloween, do you plan on dressing up your Tots or Wee Ones?  Do you plan on trick or treating?  Or do you plan on doing something else to celebrate?

You can see how I celebrated my FIRST Halloween last year here and here.  You don't want to miss those posts - my first pumpkin patch and Zoo Boo!  (The posts make Mommy and I sad because Hermann (our late) kitty is in them.)  You can also enjoy some shots from the St. Luke's Pumpkin Patch below.  I know, I know ... nice spider costume, right?  (Mommy got the costume and my personalized matching treat bag from Pottery Barn Kids).  Sadie, I can't wait to pass it on to you!  Muhaha.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

So if your young one dresses up, do you know what they will be this year?  Mommy and I already started thinking about it.

We were thinking I might be Max from Where the Wild Things Are (Pottery Barn Kids).  What do you think?  And wouldn't it be cute if Sadie was one of the monsters (we haven't found that costume yet!).  Any ideas on where we can find one?  Or another costume idea for her (that goes with mine)?  Or another costume idea for us?

And where will you be celebrating or trick or treating this year?  Last year we went to a pumpkin patch at our church, and we went to the Houston Zoo's Zoo Boo.  Mommy and I highly recommend a pumpkin patch visit and / or a Zoo Boo (near you!) for your Tots and Wee Ones.

A friend mentioned to Mommy that Houston's First Baptist Church has a Halloween Carnival.  We will be looking that up closer to date!  How about you?  How will you celebrate?

-Mad Max

PS: Visit us at Mad About Town.  Visit us here next Monday for our giveaway with Whole Foods too!

Mad for Monday (Max's Weekend Update): Are you ready for some FOOTBALL???!

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How was your weekend?  What did you do?

My swim lessons were cancelled this week, but I went with Train Wreck Mommy and Daddy to the Children's Museum of Houston.  A few photos from my venture:

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy went to enjoy a gal's lunch during my afternoon nap on Saturday at Jus Mac (very much not plant strong, so Daddy and I didn't miss a thing!  They are a "Mac and Cheese Eatery."  Mommy said it was yummy, but she did feel a bit sick afterwards.  Maybe too much, ahem, cheese.  Mommy had the Rustic.  What do you think?  Do you make any creative Mac and Cheese creations at home?  Mommy thought the bread crumbs on top made the dish!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

And the biggest highlight of our weekend ... Houston Texans Football Season started!  Are you a football fan?  What is your favorite team?  My family thinks life is just better when it is football season! Here I am below watching the start of the game very intently with Dada.  I'm sure what followed was lots of cheering from us!  Congrats to the Texans on their first win.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

So with the start of football season ...Mommy and I are focused on FALL this week.  A bit premature you think?  I think Mommy just secretly wants it to get cooler in Houston.  The other day she said (to Dada), "I can't wait until Fall!  Cooler!"... Dada said "Yes, a cool 80 degrees."  Okay, 80 is better than 100, no?

So Houston doesn't have "seasons" unfortunately ... but we have much to look forward to this Fall / Winter season.  We are looking forward to Houston Texans Football season, cooler weather, my baby sister being born (Sadie!), Mommy's maternity leave, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and maybe our annual Houston Rockets trip, and more!

An important mention from us: be sure to stop by our blog next Monday!  We will have an awesome "back-to-school giveaway" from Whole Foods (Houston location)!

How was your weekend?  What are you looking forward to this Fall?

-Mad Max and Family

PS: You can also visit us on Mad About Town!